Talking machine employing large diaphragm



May 29, 1928. 1,671,536

- L. LUMIERE TALKING MACHINE EMPLOYING LARGE DIAPHRAGM Filed 0012.16, 1924 3 Sheets-Sheet l May 29, 1928. 1,671,536

L. LUMIERE TALKING MACHINE EMPLOYING LARGE DIAPHRIkGrM Filed Oct. 16, 1924 May 29. 1928.

L. LUMIERE TALKING MACHINE EMPLOYING LARGE DIAPHRAGM Filed 0ct.l6, 1924 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 l/y A Patented May 29, 1928.

1,671,536 PATENT OFFICE.

UNITED sures Louis Lumm, or LYON, FRANCE.

TALKING MACHINE EKPLOYING LARGE DIAPHBAGK.

Application filed October 18, 1824, Serial 1T0. 744,088, and in France November 1,8, 19 28.

This invention relates to improvements in talking machines and is particularly intend ed for use with machines employing large diaphragms. In these machines as hitherto constructed the diaphragm has sometimes been. arranged during playing to occupya vertical position to one side of the record, or more generally to lie over the record and parallel thereto or slightly inclined with regard thereto, the diaphragm being so'carried that the re roducing pointcan follow freely the soun line on therecord. With the latter arrangement, however, in consequence of the size of the diaphragm the rec- 0rd disc has been largely hidden and the.

reproducing point can only be seen with difficulty through the comparatively narrow space between the diaphragm and the record, so that it is not easy for the operator to place the needle correctly in the beginning of the sound line when the reproducing needle has been changed anda new record is to be'played.

The object of the present invention is to overcome these objections. According to the present invention the large amplifying diaphragm is so mounted on the machine that during playing it will occupy" a vertical position over, the horizontal rotating record, and will at the same time'travel freely over it, and be free to rise and fall slightly with any rise and fall of the surface of the record, due for example to .the turntable not lying absolutely true, and it can also be lifted by hand free of the record, while, when the machine is no longer required to play, the diaphragm can be turned down to lie horizontally, substantially parallel with the record and close thereto, so that'the lid of a cabinet machine may be closed down and the cabinet need notbe of unusual dimensions.

The present invention therefore consists in providing'a talking machine with means for mounting the diaphragm comprising a diaphragm supporting arm mounted on the cabinet of the machine so as to swing horizontally over the turntable and a diaphragm mounted'on the free end of said arm, the arrangement being such that, for playing, the diaphragm can occupy a vertical position over the, record and at right angles thereto, while the diaphragm can also be turneddown about a horizontal axis lying in a-horizontal plane near the bottomedge of the diaphragm when vertical. In one construction the arm, or a part of the arm,car-

rying the diaphragm is arranged to turn with the diaphragm, but the diaphragm may also he arranged to turn about a horizontal axis on this arm.

The diaphragm may also be mounted on its supporting member so that it can be rotated in its own plane to facilitate the introduction of a new needle, and novel means are provided 'for connecting the needle-holder to the diaphragm, whereby the vibrations are transmitted longitudinally of the connecting bar between needle holder-and diaphragm, in a direction substantially parallel with the plane ofthe diaphragm.

One embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 is an elevation of a portion of a machine showing the diaphragm in the playing position and the assembled means for carrying the diaphragm.

Fig. 2 is a plan 'view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1 v

Fig. 8 is a side elevation, in perspective, of the diaphragm in the'playing position,

Figs. 4 and 5 are respectively side elevation and plan showing the diaphragm in the non-operative position, the lid of the cabinet being shown closed in Fig. 4.

.F'g. 6 is a vertical section of the diaphragm in the playing position on an enlarged scale, and showing the details of the transmission means from the reproducing point to the diaphragm.

'phra'gm to the carrying arm; and

. Fig. 10 is a diagrammatic side view illustrating another type of means which may be employed for operatively connecting the diaphragm to the carrying arm. The diaphragm d in the construction illustrated is of known construction and formed of a sheet of paper folded and pleated, having the two ends joined and pressed out into the form of a radially pleated disc. Th'e'edge of the diaphragm is held between two metal rings 7* or in a single ring withturned over edges forming a rigid circle, upon one side of which are fixed therradial arms 0 of a support serving to mountthe upon the end of a carrying arm playing position, mounted at the end of an arm e rigidly mounted upon a hollow rod or 7 tor board '11 of the cabinet.

sleeve 9 capable of turning about a vertical shaft f secured to a plate h hinged to a plate 71, which forms the top of a slide 3' that can be moved in slide ways is fixed upon the mo- The plate h is held in the lowered or horizontal position (Fig. 3) by means of a button 8 or a suitable latch.

A steel leaf spring m is secured at one end to the base of the carrying arm p and connected at the other end by means of av threaded rod n and nut n to an arm g extending upwardly from the hollow rod g (Fig. 1), in order to allow the prezsurewith which the reproducing needle lies upon the disc to be regulated. The spring m (Figs. 1 and 5) and the rod it may be replaced by a coil spring 5 (Fig. 10) connected between the carrying arm p or extension p (Fig. 10) and the arm g. i

At one point on the circumference of the ring 1' and upon the face which receives the star-shaped support 0 is fixed a bracket for carrying the reproducing stylus. This bracket comprises a plate u, having an aperture t therein and at its outer end a boss or stepped portion u having a longitudinal slot in which is clamped one edge of .the steel spring-o the other edge of which is clamped in the needle holder '0, the needle being held by a screw w in the usual way. The needle holder '0 is thus resiliently connected to the plate u by the .spring 0.

The .means for transmitting to the diaphragm (l the vibrations received by the needle a: comprise a rod g which passes through the aperture if, one end of the rod being-connected at y to the arm 0' of the needle holder while the upper end is connected at y to one arm act a bell crank lever mounted resiliently near the centre of the diaphragm upon the-boss c of the starshaped support c, by means of a leaf spring 0, int-he same way as the needle holder u is mounted upon the plate 11. The rod 3 is preferably in the form' of a solid body tapered at its ends and of uniformresistanoe throughout; of wood,-bamboo or-light metal,

(magnesium, for example). To the other arm 2' of the hell crank lever mounted near the centre ofthe diaphragm is connected at d" the end of'a rod-dattach'ed axially to the diaphragm d. V

Thene'edle holderv 'v is in theshape or a bell crank lever similar to a, z andthese two bell crank levers are as stated flexibly mounted on the springs 0, 0' respectively Without free play. Joints 3 and y of the rod 3 and the joint d" of the rod cl are also joints having no free play. H

The device is operated as follows:

In the state of rest the diaphragm lies substantially horizontally as shown in elevation and plan in Figs. 4 and 5, this position being obtained by releasing the plate 11. from .its latch s and raising it into the vertical position so that the sleeve 9 and the carrying arm p are turned through a right angle. The slide 9' is first of all moved to the opposite side of the cabinet from the turntable Z on which lies the record disc D (Fig. 5). In this manner the'diaphragm is brought to lie easily within the cabinet, the cover of which can be then closed as shown in Fig. 4.

To use the machine the plate h is folded down, which has the efiect of raising vertically the carrying arm and the diaphragm. .The plate h is latched in this position by moving the latch 8 and the slide j is moved into the position shown in plan in Fig. 2, in orderthat the plane of the diaphragm may move angularly during reproduction between the limits generally admitted with regard to the tangent at the point of con-. tact of the reproducing needle with the disc.

The operator then turns the carrying arm' upon theshaft- 7 so as to bring the diawhich has been set in rotation andrepros duction commences. r

The suspension of the diaphragm is very elastic owing to the compensating spring m. It can follow without appreciable resistance the spiral turns of the sound line owing to the sleeve 9 turning upon the shaft f. sleeve. 9 may be mounted on ball bearings if desired. o Y

The rotation of the diaphragm in its own plane, with regard to the carrying arm-p may be effected in various ways and the diaphragm maybe mounted for example as illustrated in Figs. 8 to 10.-

In Figs. 8 and 9 the disc or boss 0' of the star support 0 is provided with an annular rail 1. and the carrying arm 1) isprovided with three equidistant grooved rollers 2.

In Fig. 10' the-'iring r of the the bra is provided with a rail 3 and the car? infirm p is of a modified form and is provided with three rollers.4 and 4, the roller 4 lying inside the rail 3 and the rollers 4' outside the rail. In Fig. 10 the star support a, 'c' is omitted for the' sake of 'clearness and the compensating spring is in the form of a coil spring 5. The structural details of the device and the shape of the carl'ying arm and other parts may be varied from t ose described Withouhdeparting from the spirit of the invention. a I

I claim: 7 1. A mounting for a sound amplifying diaphragm comprising, in combination with a casing, a shaft, means for pivotally securing said shaft on said casing permitting the shaft to occupy both vertical and horizontal positions, a carrying arm mounted on said shaft for motion about vertical and horizontal axes, and a. diaphragm mounted on said carrying arm.

2. A mounting for a sound amplifying diaphragm comprising, in combination with a casing, a shaft, means for pivotally mounting said shaft on said casing permitting the shaft to oc upy both vertical and horizontal positions ,a sleeve on-said shaft, a carrying arm pivotally mounted on said sleeve about an axis at right angles to said shaft,

and a diaphragm mounted on said carrying arm. 7

3. A mounting for a sound amplifying diaphragm comprising, in combination with a casing, a shaft, means'for pivoting said shaft on said casing, the shaft being adapted to occupy a horizontal position when the diaphragm is in non-playing position and an a right position when the diaphragm is in p aying position, a sleeve rotatable on said shaft, a carrying arm pivoted to said sleeve about an axis, that is substantially horizontal when the parts arein operative position, and a diaphragm mounted on said carrying arm.

4. A mounting for a sound amplifying diaphragm comprising,- in combination with a casing, a slide mounted on said casing, a

shaft, means for pivotally securing said shaft to said slide whereby said shaft may occupy vertical and horizontal positions, a

sleeve on said shaft, 21 carrying arm pivotally secured to said sleeve about an axis at horizonta right angles to said shaft, and a diaphragm mounted on said carrying arm.

5. A. mounting for a sound amplifying diaphragm comprising, in combination with a casing, a slide mounted on said casing, a shaft adapted to occupy a substantially vertical position when the parts are in operative position, means for pivotally secur-.

ing said shaft to said slide whereby said shaft nia be turned into a substantially l position, a rotatable sleeve on. said shaft, a carrying arm,means-'for pivotally connectin sleeve, and a iaphragm rotatably mounted on said 'carrying arm.

6. A mounting for. a diaphragm comprising, in-combination with a casing, a slide said carrying arm to said -a1-e.in playing position, a rotatable sleeve on said shaft, a carrying arm, means for pivotallyconnecting said carrying arm to said sleeve, a diaphragm, and means for rotatably securing said diaphragm to said carrying arm.

7 A mounting for a diaphragm comprising, in combination with a casing, slide ways on said casing, a slide movable thereon, a shaft, means for pivotally connecting said shaft'to said slide, means for maintaining said shaft in a substantially vertical position when the parts are in playing position, a rotatable sleeve on said shaft, a carrying arm, means for pivotally securing said carrying arm to saidsleeve a diaphragm, and means for mounting said said carrying arm whereby said diaphragm diaphragm on may be rotatedjin its own plans on said arm.

' 8. In combination with a casing provirhadv substantially horizontal position, a carrying arm mounted on said means, and a diaphragm secured to said arm, said means sing adapted. to occupy a substantially upright position when the diaphragm is in operatiye position.

9. in combination with a casing, a motor board carried by said casing, means pivotally secured to the board and adapted to he moved to a substantially horizontal position, a carrying arm mounted on said means, a dia hragm, and means pivotally securing said iaphra m to said arm.

10. In com%)ination with a casing, means pivotally secured to the casing and adapted to be moved to a substantially horizontal position, a carrying arm pivotally secured to said means, resilient means operatively secured to said arm and'first-named means, a diaphragm, and means pivotally securing said diaphragm to said arm, said first-named means normally occupying substantially upright position.

11. In combination, a casing, a carrying arm, means includin a pair of horizontally disposed pivot mem ers for securing said arm to the casing, and a diaphragm mountmembers and both of the latter occupying.

substantially horizontal positions when the parts are in operative position. ,7

13. In combination, a casing, a carrying arm, means including a plurality of pivot members for securing said arm to the casing, one of said pivot members being adapted to occupy a substantially vertical position when the parts are in operative position and the other of said members being adapted to occupy horizontal positions and a diaphragm mounted on said arm, one of said horizontally disposed pivot members being disposed at substantially right angles to the other of said horizontally disposed pivot members.

14. In combination with a talking machine casing, a diaphragm adapted to 00- cupy'a substantially vertical playing position and a substantially horizontal nonplaying position, and pivotal supporting means for securing the diaphragm to the casing lncludlng a pivot member adapted to occupy a position between the center of the diaphragm, when in playing position,

and the lower edge of the latter;

15. In a talking machine of the large diaphragm type wherein a record turntable is mounted above a motor board, a mounting 16. In a talking machine of the large diaphragm type wherein a record turntable is mounted above a motor board, a diaphragm mounting comprising a plate pivotally connected to said motor board and provided with a vertically extending portion, a rod mounted on said portion for movement about a vertical axis, and means for pivotally connecting the diaphragm to said rod.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

LOUIS LUMIERE. 

